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'Lost for words': Daria Gavrilova stuns tennis world in 'brutal' moment

Daria Gavrilova's wretched run in 2019 has continued with a heartbreaking straight-sets first round loss at the Karlsruhe Open.

Gavrilova was in control against the Czech Republic's Tereza Martincova when leading 4-1 40-0 on serve in the first set.

However that’s when the wheels completely fell off.

Daria Gavrilova's year has gone from bad to worse. (Photo by RvS.Media/Monika Majer/Getty Images)
Daria Gavrilova in action. (Photo by RvS.Media/Monika Majer/Getty Images)

The 25-year-old lost the first set 6-4 and while she would again lead 5-1 in the second, Gavrilova couldn't finish the job.

She wound up losing the deciding set 6-7 to the World no. 141, making for her 18th loss this year.

The tennis world couldn’t believe the collapse.

Gavrilova, who reached the fourth round of the Australian Open in both 2016 and 2017, has won just seven matches in 2019.

Ranked World no. 20 in August 2017, Gavrilova has slid down to 85 after losing in the first round at this year's Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon.

Gavrilova considers time away from tennis

The Aussie said she is considering taking time out from tennis after confessing to struggling mentally following her first-round exit from Wimbledon.

"I'm not in a good headspace right now," the one-time Australian No.1 said after a 7-5 6-0 collapse against eighth seed Elina Svitolina.

The 25-year-old has been battling debilitating plantar fasciitis in her foot as well as Achilles tendonitis, which have conspired to erode the usually bubbly star's confidence.

Daria Gavrilova in action at Wimbledon. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
Daria Gavrilova at Wimbledon. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

Gavrilova said a mid-career sabbatical may be the solution.

"It's a tough decision to make and it's a bit scary at the same time," she said.

"I would feel a bit guilty doing that, for some reason, but I think it could be the decision I have to make probably because my wellbeing comes first before trying to be a good tennis player.

"I just have to break the cycle.

"I've been having days when I'm super motivated and I'm up and about and days where I'm like 'I'm struggling'."